Paying the Price for Convenience
by surferob
There's only one thing I don't like about the Metro system - the fact that it's underground. I much prefer to travel above ground, to see the different neighborhoods flying past, to voyeuristically take the pulse of daily life of those who don't rise and fall to the beat of tourist footsteps. To go underground is to be denied this show, which is a shame.
On the other hand, I appreciate engineering marvels of all types and the metros and subways of big cities have to be put right up there with some of the greatest of all time. What a brilliant system, truly. So in short, use the Metro. It just makes sense.
If you arrive at the airport in Madrid, ask for directions to the Metro. The help desk will make it sound like it's a long walk, that's cause it kinda is. It's about a 10 minute walk through the terminal on the upper level. Don't worry, just follow the signs and you can't miss it.
And don't mess around with single tickets. Right when you arrive by a packet of 10, the savings make it worthwhile even if you somehow don't end up using them all, which you most likely will anyway.
Churros y Chocolate
by acemj
After a long night of tapas hopping, Madrilenos often will stop for some churros (like a long doughnut) dipped in a thick chocolate milk type concoction. There's a great place off of San Gines that's worth a stop. Here's a shot of my friend Andrew tasting his first churro.
Toledo
by barryg23
Toledo is good choice for a day or overnight trip from Madrid. It's located about 70km south of Madrid and the best way to get there is by train. There are frequent fast trains from Atocha station which take about 40 minutes.
Toledo was once the capital of Spain and has a good collection of Jewish, Christian and Moorish buildings and monuments. Despite all the visitors it receives, it's always possible to find quiet areas in the old part of the town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Toledo was home to El Greco for many years and some of his paintings can be seen in churches and museums around the city.
Discount Shopping
by piccolita about Zara Lefties
This is where Zara dumps all their previous season stuff, or damaged goods. I'm not kidding, you will find damaged goods here being sold, so please beware. Check each garment carefully before buying it. They also sell current season stuff from their basic line, like tees, tanks for summer or sweaters and coats for winter. If you are patient, you will find a lot! Bargain items, for example I bought a simple but elegant below the knee black winter coat for 11.99 euros. So cheap! It looked like 99 euros, i swear! not much
Last stop . . .
by acemj about Cafe del Nuncio
Finally, we made it to this place and most of us ordered some variety of coffee realizing that this long night was coming to an end soon. It was pretty late and we were all starting to get pretty goofy talking about the best looking male and female celebrities and other important matters like that. This place was great to just wind down and relax. They were playing laid back music and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable.
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Carrier anchored out in the Med
Palacio de Comunicaciones, Madrid, December 2002
Casa del Libro on Gran Via
Parroquia NS del Carmen y S Luis (Madrid, Spain)
